manufacturing
Platinum to acquire Singapore's PCI for $150m
Platinum Equity has agreed to buy PCI, a Singapore-listed electronics manufacturer owned by local conglomerate Chuan Hup Holdings, for S$203 million ($150 million).
TNB Ventures, Aura Group close $23m VC fund
Singapore’s TNB Ventures and Australia’s Aura Group have jointly closed a S$31.1 million ($27 million) venture capital fund that will invest in data-driven B2B companies across Southeast Asia.
Deal focus: Cool Japan helps Spiber spin chic new web
Cool Japan has taken a new angle on its cultural investment thesis with Spiber, a biotechnology developer bringing next-generation materials to the apparel industry
Baring Asia pursues privatization of Japan's Pioneer
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to privatize Pioneer Corporation through a two-stage revitalization plan that will see it invest JPY102 billion ($905 million) in the struggling Japanese conglomerate.
Cool Japan leads $44m round for Spiber
Cool Japan Fund has led a JPY5 billion ($44 million) round for Spiber, a domestic biotechnology developer focused on synthesizing protein-based materials that simulate characteristics of spiderwebs.
Korea's ACE Equity seals $356m tech manufacturing buyout
ACE Equity Partners, a Korean private equity firm that operates on a project fund basis, has acquired Daeho Technology Korea (DTK), a manufacturer of glass used in smart phones, for KRW400 billion ($356 million).
Crescent agrees $112m carve-out of Australia's Viridian Glass
Crescent Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Viridian Glass, a maker of float glass based in Australia and New Zealand, from building products manufacturer CSR for A$155 million ($112 million).
China online fabrics trader Baibu raises $100m
Baibu, a Chinese B2B trading platform for textiles and fabrics, has received $100 million in a second tranche of Series C funding led by Tiger Global Management.
Chinese GP buys Germany's Cordenka for $274m
BMC Europe Fund I, a PE vehicle launched earlier this year with support from Shanghai International Group (SIG), has completed its first investment with the acquisition of German industrial textiles manufacturer Cordenka for EUR240 million ($274 million).
Korean GPs worry about valuations, wage hikes - AVCJ Forum
South Korean private equity investors warned the AVCJ Forum that valuations and an increase in the minimum wage could play havoc in the market next year following what has so far been a relatively benign 2018.
Blackstone agrees $792m sale of Australia chemicals business
The Blackstone Group has agreed to sell Ixom, a chemicals business it carved out from Australia’s Orica three years ago, to Keppel Infrastructure Trust (KIT) for approximately A$1.1 billion ($792 million).
Korea PE outlook: Exit issues
While Korea’s private equity market remains relatively stable, a much-anticipated opening up of IPO exits has yet to come to fruition
Japan PE outlook: Slow and steady
GPs have built strong ties with corporate Japan by demonstrating value-add capabilities. These networks should serve them well as the market becomes more active
Southeast Asia PE outlook: Debatable boom
PE and VC players remain focused on Southeast Asia’s long-term growth trajectory despite gathering macro storm clouds. Valuations remain a bone of contention
Operational value-add: Sweat equity
As Asian GPs trial a range of operational value-add strategies with an eye on shifting market dynamics, they are discovering that helping portfolio companies requires self-inspection
BASF venture unit backs China 3D printing player
Germany’s BASF Venture Capital has agreed its first direct investment in China with a commitment of undisclosed size to 3D printing company Prismlab.
CITIC Capital buys Japan's Nippon Oil Pump from Wendel
CITIC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire Nippon Oil Pump (NOP), a Japan-based maker of hydraulic pumps and motors, from European listed investment firm Wendel for about EUR85 million ($97 million).
Deal focus: MOPE re-enters India’s automotive market
Having tracked India-based Happy Forgings for five years, Motilal Oswal Private Equity is now confident in the company's ability to build its presence in the domestic and export auto components markets
Keppel named preferred bidder for Blackstone-owned Ixom
Keppel Infrastructure Trust (KIT) has been named the preferred bidder for Ixom, a chemicals business that The Blackstone Group carved out of Australia’s Orica three years ago.
Advent expands China mattress market foothold
Advent International has expanded its presence in China’s growing mattress and sleeping products market with a new platform combining existing portfolio company King Koil and local counterpart Serta China.
KKR-owned Calsonic Kansei agrees $7.1b bolt-on
Calsonic Kansei Corporation, a Japanese automotive components manufacturer acquired by KKR last year, has agreed to buy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) components business for EUR6.2 billion ($7.1 billion).
Accel leads $13.6m round for India's Universal Sportsbiz
Accel Partners has led a INR1 billion ($13.6 million) Series E round for Indian fashion retailer Universal Sportsbiz (USPL).
Motilal Oswal invests $27m in India auto player
Motilal Oswal Private Equity (MOPE) has invested INR2 billion ($27 million) in Happy Forgings, an Indian manufacturer of forged and machined components focused on the automotive industry.
Advent invests in India's Manjushree Technopack, Kedaara exits
Advent International has made an investment of undisclosed size in Indian packaging industry supplier Manjushree Technopack. It facilitates an exit for Kedaara Capital.